An information processing apparatus includes plural network interfaces, a specifying unit, a setting unit, and an assigning unit. The plural network interfaces include a first network interface for connection of the apparatus to a network, and a second network interface for direct wireless connection of another device to the apparatus. The specifying unit specifies a subnet by way of which data transmitted from the first network interface pass. The setting unit sets a network address that belongs to a subnet that is different from the specified subnet to the second network interface. The assigning unit assigns a network address that belongs to a subnet that is the same as the network address set to the second network interface to the other device.
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1. An information processing apparatus comprising: a plurality of network interfaces including: a first network interface configured to connect the apparatus to a network, and a second network interface configured to wirelessly connect another device to the apparatus; a specifying unit configured to determine a first network address of a first subnet by transmitting data from the first network interface and receiving a response from the first subnet, the response indicating the first network address; a setting unit configured to assign, in response to determining the first network address, a second network address of a second subnet, different from the first subnet, to the second network interface; and an assigning unit configured to assign a third network address, of the second subnet, to the other device, wherein the first network address, the second network address and the third network address are different than each other, and wherein the first subnet and the second subnet extend from the first network interface.
An information processing apparatus (like a router or computer) has two network interfaces: one to connect to an existing network (e.g., Ethernet) and another for devices to connect directly via Wi-Fi. It determines the existing network's subnet by sending data through the first interface and listening for a response that reveals its network address. The apparatus then assigns a different subnet address to its Wi-Fi interface, different from the Ethernet one, and also assigns an address within that Wi-Fi subnet to the device that connects wirelessly. This enables local Wi-Fi devices connecting directly without interfering with or being part of the main network's address range, using different network address.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit is further configured to assign a network address of a predetermined reference subnet to the second network interface in response to the first subnet and the predetermined reference subnet having different addresses from each other, and is further configured to assign a network address that belongs to a subnet different from the predetermined reference subnet to the second network interface in response to the first subnet and the predetermined reference subnet having same addresses as each other.
In the information processing apparatus, if the existing network's subnet address is different from a pre-configured "reference" subnet address, the apparatus sets the Wi-Fi interface to a default address from that reference subnet. However, if the existing network's subnet address is the same as the reference subnet, the apparatus assigns the Wi-Fi interface an address from a subnet that's different from the reference subnet. This provides a fallback configuration if the network address would collide with the reference, ensuring that the Wi-Fi direct connection has a unique network address.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a unit configured to determine whether or not the first network interface is connected to a network, wherein the setting unit is further configured to assign a network address of the predetermined reference subnet to the second network interface in response to a determination by the unit that the first network interface is not connected to a network.
Building upon the apparatus that assigns a different subnet, this version includes a check to see if the first network interface (e.g. Ethernet) is even connected to a network. If there's no network connection detected on the Ethernet port, the device automatically sets the Wi-Fi interface to use the predetermined "reference" subnet address. This means that a device can use the same default Wi-Fi network address if it's not connected to another network, such as when using a standalone system.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the unit is further configured to make the determination by detecting whether a network cable is attached to the first interface.
In the system where the Wi-Fi subnet is dynamically set or uses a reference, the determination of whether the first network interface (Ethernet) is connected involves detecting the presence of a physical network cable plugged into the Ethernet port. If the cable is not detected, it’s assumed there is no network connection, and the Wi-Fi defaults to the predetermined reference subnet address. The apparatus determines the network state using a physical cable check.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the specifying unit is further configured to transmit the data from the first network interface to a predetermined network address.
To determine the existing network's subnet, the information processing apparatus sends data from the first network interface to a specific, predetermined network address. This ensures that the apparatus will send the data somewhere that should elicit a response, allowing it to identify the existing network's subnet. This way, a device is able to discover the network configuration.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the specifying unit is further configured to transmit the data a distance from the first network interface, the distance being equal to or less than a predetermined distance.
When the apparatus sends data to identify the network subnet, it ensures the data doesn't travel too far. It limits the data's travel distance from the first network interface to be equal to or less than a predetermined distance. This prevents the probe from sending data across the whole Internet, only keeping it local to find the subnet without broad network traffic.
7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the predetermined distance is a number of network hops from the first network interface.
The predetermined distance for probing the subnet in the previous claim is defined by the number of "network hops" the data can travel from the first network interface. This is a way to measure the distance the data travels within the network before it is dropped. By limiting the number of hops, the system controls how far the subnet identification probe goes, focusing on the local network.
8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a fourth network address is assigned to the first network interface by a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server, and the specifying unit is further configured to specify a subnet having the fourth network address assigned to the first network interface.
The first network interface gets its network address through DHCP. The apparatus then figures out which subnet is associated with that DHCP-assigned address. This works by the "specifying unit" determining a first network address assigned by DHCP, which is then used to identify the subnet of the existing network. This integration with DHCP provides automatic network configuration.
9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit is further configured to transmit, from the first network interface, the data to a network address of another subnet that is different from the first subnet, and is further configured to assign the network address of the other subnet to the second network interface in response to an indication that the data is not received at the network address of the other subnet.
Instead of just passively listening for a response on its primary network, the apparatus actively probes other potential subnets. It sends data from the first network interface to a network address belonging to a different subnet. If the data *isn't* received at that address (implying that subnet isn't available), the apparatus then configures the second (Wi-Fi) interface to use the address of that unavailable subnet. This actively avoids address conflicts by testing and excluding other subnets.
10. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program which when executed by a computer apparatus, which includes a plurality of network interfaces including a first network interface for connection of the apparatus to a network and a second network interface for direct wireless connection of another device to the apparatus, causes the computer apparatus to execute a process, the process comprising: determining a first network address of a first subnet by transmitting data from the first network interface and receiving a response from the first subnet, the response indicating the first network address; assigning, in response to determining the first network address, a second network address of a second subnet, different from the first subnet, to the second network interface; and assigning a third network address, of the second subnet, to the other device, wherein the first network address, the second network address and the third network address are different than each other, and wherein the first subnet and the second subnet extend from the first network interface.
A non-transitory computer readable medium (like a flash drive or hard drive) stores instructions that, when run on a computer with two network interfaces (Ethernet and Wi-Fi Direct), cause the computer to determine the Ethernet network's subnet by sending data out the Ethernet port and listening for a response. It then assigns a different subnet address to the Wi-Fi Direct interface and gives connecting devices an address within that Wi-Fi subnet. This creates a separate wireless network for local devices that doesn't interfere with the main network's address space.
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March 21, 2014
May 23, 2017
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